Jobs Held in the Field

Jobs Held in the Field (continued)

SNAP-Ed program in USJ Nutrition Dept.Started as student in 2009Positions have included Nutrition Educator, Adjunct Professor,DPH Grant Program EvaluatorBecame full time Grant Manager in 2015Private practiceIntermittently, 2012-presentHome office

Current Position & Credentials

University of Saint Joseph, Nutrition Department, SNAP-Ed program

The University of Saint Joseph is an independent not-for-profitorganization, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1932 in the Catholictradition90-acre campus in West HartfordThe program trains interns and pairs them with an RD or experiencednutrition educator to present healthy eating messages as part of theCT DPHs SNAP-Ed program

Current Job Duties

Example DayNo typical dayCan work from home, can work in office, involved with all parts of theprogramWeek-to-week: coaching clients, overseeing coaching/ensuringpaperwork is filled out, developing healthy pantry initiative

Interaction with Professionals

Employs RD's, collaborates with Urban Alliance, FoodShare, etc.

Interaction with Students & Interns

Program trains students and interns from USJ and UNHAs a Nutrition Educator in SNAP-Ed, she is paired with an intern foreducation sessions

Positives & Negatives

Makes a hugeimpactRewarding

Doesn't get toaffect thestatewideinitiative

ChallengesDealing with the state, regulationsThe struggles of working on political side of the job

Why be an RD?Really likes to help peopleLoves to show people you canmake healthy food taste good

Most challenging aspect

about the field of dietetics?Dietitians dont get therespect they deserve. Otherhealth professionals (nurses,doctors) are in oursandbox doing parts of ourjob we should be doing,lessening demand for ourspecific educatedprofessionals.

Favorite Food? Least Favorite Food?

Favorite:Meatless lasagna

Least favorite:Liver/organ meats

Lightning RoundQ: How effective do you think the SNAP-Ed programs are, and whatwould you change?A: Somewhat effective. SNAP should be like WIC, get certain number ofdollars to spend ONLY on healthy things.Q: In her experience, is there a disconnect between food science andnutrition? Yes, big disconnect between food science and nutrition McDonalds customers do not want healthy options Community nutrition is important Nutrition education in public school system is key to change

More questionsQ: Do you feel like your internship prepared you for your currentposition?A: Yes but I wish it had more community nutrition incorporated into it.Q: Is this position a stepping stone?A: My dream job would be to be a corporate wellness coordinator.Q: What would you say was your most challenging obstacle to becomingan RD?A: Getting all the required prerequisites to get an internship.